Tim Harlow2018-01-23T14:38:20Zhttp://timharlow.com/feed/atom/WordPresstypepad/timharlow/bloghttps://feedburner.google.comJenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=25042018-01-23T14:38:20Z2018-01-23T14:38:20Z<p>My first trip to Africa was eye opening. We went directly to the slums of Nairobi. I had been involved in doing ministry to the neglected in Mexico, Central America, and the U.S. I’d seen bad living conditions, but this was way past my ability to understand. Parkview was getting involved with Missions of Hope through <a href="http://www.cmfi.org/">Christian Missionary Fellowship</a>.</p>
<p>It was in these unbelievable conditions that I met this kid and his family.</p>
<p><img class="size-full wp-image-2523 aligncenter" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/COLLINS_2.jpg" alt="COLLINS_2" width="560" height="315" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/COLLINS_2.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/COLLINS_2-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>The boy in the red shirt with the goofy smile and I hit it off immediately. Mom has AIDs, dad is gone, and they live in a part of a communal shack with no facilities of any kind. I asked about the kids. The younger ones were in the Missions of Hope program and getting schooling and food every day. Mom was getting medical attention.</p>
<p>But Collins (age 14) and his brother were high school age and the only schools they could go to were private. I knew that couldn’t happen. And I saw something in Collins that made me realize that with a little help, he could be part of the solution to the problem and not just another statistic. So we helped start the program that sponsored high school kids. It was more expensive than the younger child program, but the kids were quickly all sponsored. (Here is <a href="http://www.cmfi.org/give/sponsor-a-child/nairobi-community/">the link if you are interested</a>).</p>
<p>I took Collins and my good friends took George (not pictured).</p>
<p>And these boys became my African sons. Collins called me Dad and I called him son&#8211;neither of us had one of those <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f642.png" alt="🙂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> My daughters got to meet him and become friends with him along the way.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2506" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/unnamed-e1516656776587.jpg" alt="unnamed" width="560" height="374" /></p>
<p>Becca spent a summer working in Kenya and got even more time with Collins.</p>
<p>The last time I got to see him, we had a brief layover in Nairobi on the way to Malawi, and they surprised us by coming for an early breakfast before we caught the next plane.</p>
<p>It was Becca’s birthday &#8211; this will show you the relationship of my African sons.</p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8XdMpAANUZ/" target="_blank">Happy birthday @beccaharlow from ur brothers in Nairobi!! @denisevharlow</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tlharlow/" target="_blank"> Tim Harlow</a> (@tlharlow) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2015-10-03T07:08:20+00:00">Oct 3, 2015 at 12:08am PDT</time></p>
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<p>Every time I was able to be there, I was able to spend more time with Collins. It wasn’t enough, but the relationship was much deeper than the amount of time we spent together. We were able to connect on email.</p>
<p>We helped them in other ways too. Brought them laptops, got them bikes, and eventually, with the help of good friends in the congregation, were able to buy them a piece of land and put a house on it.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2505" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Collins-new-house-e1516656512788.jpeg" alt="Collins new house" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<p>Mom is doing well and the family is growing, and I was looking forward to having George and Collins eventually help us with PEACE plan initiatives in Nairobi, or even come to Malawi for a time to help us there.</p>
<p>Both of the older boys got their degrees in education, and Collins was at school working on more, and was planning on starting a school.</p>
<p>But he died <span class="aBn" tabindex="0" data-term="goog_594386668"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday</span></span>. They have ruled that he died of a heart defect. An enlarged heart, actually. Which makes total sense to me.</p>
<p>He didn’t have the benefit of health care when he was young, and had no family history patterns, so no one knew.</p>
<p>I preach about God a lot, and about how this world’s problems are not his fault. I believe that with all my regular sized heart. But this is a hard one for me.</p>
<p>In one regard, I am so glad I got to be in his life, and so glad I did what I did to help him for the past 10 years. On the other hand, this is not the way the story went in my head. He did more for me than I ever could have done for him.</p>
<p>And we will use the inspiration of Collins life to spur us on to accomplish more for the Kingdom, that’s for sure.</p>
<p>George and his siblings will live with the challenge from the life of Collins, and who knows what God will do.</p>
<p>This is the email I received from him just last week.</p>
<blockquote><p><i>Dear dad and family, </i></p>
<p><i>Happy new year. My family is fine and everyone is doing great. Mum and George work at Joska girls and boys respectively. My siblings too are fine. Sharon is in 12th grade sitting for her final exam this year. Kalinda and Ashley are in grade 5 and 2 respectively.<br />
</i></p>
<p><i>I currently work with a Catholic Church in Nairobi in education department. We offer education to the less privileged in the informal settlement of westlands.</i></p>
<p><i>On earlier mail concerning starting off a school I have done the name search and soon the certificate will be out. After a period of inner consultation, I named the school after you (Harlow School).</i></p>
<p><em>Through God, I intend to have the school running in the next three years or earlier. With the area we are based still on the development gear, I believe it will be the best opportunity to set up the institution.</em></p>
<p><em>Dad, when are you coming to Kenya so we can discuss this in details? </em></p>
<p><em>I believe it will be a move worth taking.</em></p>
<p><em>Thank you.</em></p>
<p><em>Love you dad.</em></p></blockquote>
<p>You can see why I’m heartbroken for the loss of a kid with an enlarged heart? I don’t think I would have let him keep the school name <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f642.png" alt="🙂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> But we had work to do.</p>
<p>So this is how you change the world, everyone. You love and help one kid at a time. It doesn’t take much to change their world. And the bigger change will actually happen to you.</p>
<p><span class="m_-6351423017449647035red">“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew<span class="aBn" tabindex="0" data-term="goog_594386669"><span class="aQJ"> 19:14</span></span></span></p>
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</div>1http://timharlow.com/to-change-the-world-love-and-help-one-kid-at-a-time/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24962017-05-22T19:46:39Z2017-05-22T19:46:39Z<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2497" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/harlow-family-560.jpg" alt="harlow-family-560" width="560" height="372" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/harlow-family-560.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/harlow-family-560-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>My daughter turned 30 last week. That is a <em>senior moment</em> kick in the pants. You know that my next statement is going to be “it doesn’t seem possible.” This is true. Time does fly &#8211; blah, blah, blah. There is nothing I can tell you that will change any of that. One day you wake up with three grandchildren, and you need rotator cuff surgery. Deal with it.</p>
<p>What I can do is reflect for a moment this morning and give you some advice. There are plenty of things I would do differently if I found myself back at the beginning. But that’s another subject. Let me tell you what I’d do again.</p>
<p><strong>1. Love Jesus and His bride – The Church.</strong></p>
<p>I taught my kids to love Jesus and now He is the rock of their lives. (Proverbs 22:6) And when I look back at the pictures and videos, it seems like every friend was a church friend. The church was just part of their world. Church involvement is declining rapidly in the U.S. In the same way that social media is affecting “friendship,” and the online marketplace is replacing banks and big-box stores, the church is experiencing a shift as well. We are all trying to navigate this, but I will never regret packing my kids in the car to take them over to play with friends who shared their spiritual values. Bill Brown, our executive pastor, was just telling me about his son’s Prom and how almost all their “group” was from our church. That’s the way it was for us. How does that happen? Well, maybe you’ll get lucky and your kids will just connect with other believers’ kids, but my advice to you is to <em>help them make that connection</em>! Get them to your church’s kids or student ministries. Make it a priority.</p>
<p><em>Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9</em></p>
<p><strong>2. Manage money well.</strong></p>
<p>We didn&#8217;t’ really have as much of a choice back in the day, but we did a good job making sure we were saving for the future and not spending more than we had. We didn’t abuse credit, and taught our kids the same principles. I recently <a href="https://vimeo.com/218484659/bdc4aa0d44">thanked Dave Ramsey</a> for <a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu">Financial Peace University</a>, because all my kids were graduates. It’s more of a relief to know my kids aren’t going to drown in debt than it is to know that I’m not. But the truth is, nothing in FPU was new to my kids. It was reinforcement. I know we could have done better; we have made some dumb choices. But I can tell you that I have zero regrets about not buying something on credit. And I’m very glad that we didn’t give them everything they wanted (that&#8217;s what grandchildren are for!)</p>
<p><em>For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10</em></p>
<p><strong>3. Chill about your career.</strong></p>
<p>There are plenty of things that are different in my life as a Pastor. But it’s still a job\career just like yours. And the truth is, mine wasn’t all that “successful” in the early years. I didn’t choose that – I just sucked – but I’m glad it happened. When my kids were young, there wasn’t much I could do to “advance my career.” I wasn’t asked to speak or lead on other boards, or in other organizations. I just stayed home and did my job. I know that the temptation for a bigger platform would have been hard for me to ignore – I could have even justified it with “Kingdom of God” language. So God made sure I didn’t have to. You might have to do that work on your own. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t work hard at your job and take a promotion that might come your way. You should just weigh the decision based on how it affects your family. You will work for a lot longer than you will have young kids. Everything you agree to do will take you away from something else. Every yes is a no! Trust me, when your kids are 30 you will not look back and wish that you had given more to your career. Even if it would have meant more money. Your kids would rather have more of you and less of cars\houses\things.</p>
<p>To be continued…</p>
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</div>1http://timharlow.com/things-im-glad-i-did-as-a-dad/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24912017-02-01T16:28:39Z2017-02-01T16:28:39Z<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2493" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/fly_the_w.jpg" alt="fly_the_w" width="560" height="278" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/fly_the_w.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/fly_the_w-300x149.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>“Different” can be a synonym for “weird.” “She’s kind of different” usually means, like, not in a good way. The elevator doesn’t go to the top floor. One taco short of a combination platter. Not the brightest crayon in the box.</p>
<p>Every generation of teenagers talks about how they want to be “different,” and then they go buy the same labels and wear the same styles and listen to the same music as <em>everyone else</em>. “Herd Mentality” is a psychiatric term describing the fact that we’re basically not much better than animals that don’t like to go outside the group. In animal terms, straying from the herd might mean being picked off by a predator. Basically, it’s the same in human terms, I guess. Different can be painful.</p>
<p>I am not a Cubs fan, but I’ve worked in Chicago for 27 years now so I know that Cubs fans are <em>different</em>. Being a Cardinals fan, I used to poke fun at them every year. But while I’m not a fan of the Cubs, <em>I am a fan of Cubs fans</em>! I mean, how much dedication did it take to get up every April and put on your Cubs jersey, hoping that this would be “next year,” only to have your hopes dashed every September (okay, more like August) for 108 years in a row?!?</p>
<p>It’s a little bit crazy and a little bit faithful. How hard is it to be a Yankees fan? 24% of all World Series games had a Yankees team in it! For that matter, it doesn’t take that much faith to be a Cardinals fan. I’ve rejoiced plenty in October. You gotta give them credit &#8211; Cubs fans deserved a “W” in 2016 – they are <em>different</em>.</p>
<p>What does it mean <em>theologically</em> to be different? Billions of people call themselves fans of God. Plenty of churches claim to be followers of Jesus.</p>
<p>“<em>Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.</em>” <em>(Numbers 14:24)</em></p>
<p>A different spirit.</p>
<p>God wasn’t calling Caleb a dull crayon. It was a compliment. And his <em>different-ness</em> came with a reward. Because God rewards those with a different faith, and everyone else wanders around in the desert. Because <em>“the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)</em></p>
<p>And fully committed to Him is <em>different</em>.</p>
<p>When the children of Israel were heading into the promised land, Moses sent 12 scouts to check things out. Ten of them came back afraid, and two of them were excited by the possibilities. The two good ones were Joshua and Caleb.</p>
<p><em>Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. (Numbers 13:30-32)</em></p>
<p>The people didn’t want to be different and so they trusted in the advice of the majority, grumbled against God, and were punished by wandering the desert for 40 years. The majority was wrong. However, Joshua and Caleb’s different spirit allowed them to see God’s amazing plan unfold.</p>
<p>Holy cow! (Cubs pun intended!)</p>
<p>Is there modern application for you, your leadership, or your family?</p>
<p>This is punching me in the face. “Had a different spirit and served me wholeheartedly.” I guess they go together. I feel like I’m serving Him wholeheartedly, but it’s so easy to fall back into “the giants are so big” paradigm, that it’s not even funny.</p>
<p>Caleb’s spirit was a “we can do this” spirit. A <em>“God is able to do immeasurably more”</em> spirit <em>(Ephesians 3:20).</em></p>
<p>Caleb saw the giants. He knew his available resources. But unlike everyone else, he didn’t neglect to add the God-factor.</p>
<p>What risk are you afraid of taking right now because everyone else thinks it can’t be done?</p>
<p>Maybe it’s time to be…<em>different</em>.</p>
<p><em>“So many of us limit our praying because we are not reckless in our confidence in God. In the eyes of those who do not know God, it is madness to trust Him, but when we pray in the Holy Spirit we begin to realize the resources of God, that He is our perfect heavenly Father, and we are His children.” Oswald Chambers</em></p>
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</div>0http://timharlow.com/a-different-spirit/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24862017-01-02T19:06:28Z2017-01-02T19:06:28Z<p><img class="size-full wp-image-2487" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-rock.jpg" alt="Man hand up on the peak of mountain and sunlight with text 2017 happy new year calendar holiday concept" width="560" height="263" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-rock.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-rock-300x141.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>Who really knows?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say 2016 was my favorite year ever. My baby got married and that was awesome – a highlight of my life. But none of the other slackers bore me any grandchildren. Come on!</p>
<p>There were other highs and actual lows.</p>
<p>Our church grew and our marriage grew and the people around me grew in many ways, but at least part of the growth came through pain.</p>
<p>And pain sucks. I don&#8217;t like it. I have more of it, and I don’t like it. I don’t care if it helps me grow. I appreciate that “His power is perfected in my weakness” as the Apostle Paul said (2 Corinthians 12:9), but some days I’m sure Paul would have been okay with God’s power being perfected in someone else’s weakness. I would. Let someone else be weak and let God show up – I’ll move on in my own power like I used to. I used to enjoy being in control. I’m like that.</p>
<p>The one thing I know about 2017 is that it will bring with it a lot of things that I didn’t see coming. Tell me you wouldn’t have bet one million dollars (put your little finger in the corner of your mouth) at the beginning of last year that Donald Trump would not be sworn in as our 45th President. ONE MILLION DOLLARS!</p>
<p>What do I know about 2017? Well the slackers have got the grandkid thing going again, so there’s that. I will continue the mighty challenge of helping southsiders find their adopted place in the family of God, and enjoy almost every minute of it. My family will continue to grow and make me prouder every year. My friends, staff, and co-leaders in the Kingdom will always have my back. My body will continue to break down as I continue to go down the proverbial hill. I will be blessed in ways I could not foresee. I will suffer loss in areas I wish I could avoid.</p>
<p>And most importantly…</p>
<blockquote><p><em>My soul will find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>That’s really the only way to face an unknown future. With a <em>known</em> rock to stand on.</p>
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</div>1http://timharlow.com/happy-new-year-4/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24812016-11-23T16:51:59Z2016-11-23T16:49:17Z<p><img class="size-full wp-image-2482 aligncenter" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_40201-e1479919682963.jpg" alt="IMG_40201" width="560" height="420" /></p>
<p>I shared this with our staff yesterday and thought I would post it for you.</p>
<p>My name is Tim, and I’m a busy-aholic.</p>
<p>If you don’t know me – when you look up Type A in the dictionary you will find my picture. I have ADHD/ I take Adderall/ sitting still is like a death sentence for me. I would rather go to the dentist than take a long plane ride.</p>
<p>My go-to is “do.”</p>
<p>I want to do something. Right now, as I’m writing this, I know that I want to go sand the new door I put in my daughter’s bedroom so it closes better tonight. Or hang that shelf so there is more room for all the non-healthy food my mom is bringing over later today.</p>
<p>What I’m bad at is “be.”</p>
<p>So here we are at holiday time. I have my entire family in for the holidays. We might get to spend 15 days a year all together. We all get to connect at other times, but all together doesn’t happen enough.</p>
<p>Being together is so important. Which is exactly what it’s been like all my life. I’ve not lived in the same town as any of my family since I left for college.</p>
<p>Now that I’m the grandparent – I want some “be” time! So I told my staff – don’t be me.</p>
<p>Just <em>be </em>this Thanksgiving and during the holidays. Get off your stupid phone, forget about Facebook, and don’t obsess about Black Friday. Just sit and <em>be </em>with your family. Talk to them. Listen to them. I’m going to go jump on the trampoline with my grandson.</p>
<p>BE THERE.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha</em><em> </em><em>opened her home to him.</em><em> </em><em>She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet</em><em> </em><em>listening to what he said.</em><em> </em><em>But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care</em><em> </em><em>that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”</em></p>
<p><em>“Martha, Martha,”</em><em> </em><em>the Lord answered,</em><em> </em><em>“you are worried</em><em> </em><em>and upset about many things,</em><em> </em><em>but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42</em></p></blockquote>
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</div>2http://timharlow.com/be-there/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24642016-11-09T19:27:47Z2016-11-09T19:27:47Z<p><em>…<strong>And I feel fine</strong></em><strong>.</strong>”</p>
<p>Thank you for that reminder today, <a href="https://youtu.be/Z0GFRcFm-aY">REM</a>.</p>
<p>I apologize to Clinton-supporting Cubs fans in advance. I’m not trying to link the two of these events together. It’s just that both were so unprecedented.</p>
<p>I was given a shirt that says “What did Jesus say to the Cubs? Don’t do anything till I get back.”</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2465" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/PT-BAPTISM.jpg" alt="PT BAPTISM" width="520" height="545" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/PT-BAPTISM.jpg 520w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/PT-BAPTISM-286x300.jpg 286w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /></p>
<p>Is it time for Jesus to come back?</p>
<p>Honestly, as we landed on these two candidates for the U.S. Presidency, all I could think of was the fact that neither one of them was going to represent my Christian values. As I woke up this morning (no, I didn’t stay up), I knew that it was going to be a monumental <em>phone-check</em> as I rolled over. It looked like Trump had it when I went to bed, but I do remember “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_election_recount">hanging chads</a>.”</p>
<p>This picture of my grandson, taken with an “I Voted” sticker on probably represents how all of us felt yesterday.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2467" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/CHARLIE-I-VOTED.jpg" alt="CHARLIE I VOTED" width="560" height="645" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/CHARLIE-I-VOTED.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/CHARLIE-I-VOTED-260x300.jpg 260w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>What does it mean?</p>
<p>Let’s be honest, it means a lot. It means that the country is going to be pushed towards some things I disagree with. It would have either way. (Rights of the unborn vs. care for less fortunate foreigners – for one example). It means that the country is led by a celebrity businessman whom I wouldn’t hire to build a shed. It means that the divide between blue collar white middle America and the more liberal coastal dwellers (and Chicago :)), will grow deeper. The economy will be affected either way.</p>
<p>What does it not mean?</p>
<p>The end of the world.</p>
<p>Unless you believe Trump to be the Antichrist (1 John 2:18), absolutely nothing in baseball or politics is going to affect God’s righteous mercy and\or judgment of our world.</p>
<p>God was not up late watching CNN wringing his hands. Do you realize how many bad leaders God has watched come and go? How many good ones? How many <em>eye rolls</em> God has given the people of the world as they chose a leader? Has He ever been excited when we chose the <em>right </em>one? Has there ever been a <em>right</em> one? He said that King David was a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22), but David didn’t exactly have a great track record.</p>
<p>There are many scriptures about the signs that the end is coming. I believe many of them were not meant to be taken literally, and I believe that a lot of time has been wasted trying to figure out what means what. And some teachers draw hilarious conclusions. One says that the rise of vegetarianism is a sign, based on I Timothy 4:1,3.</p>
<p><em>The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and…order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.</em></p>
<p>So, what? Do I eat my bacon and go to heaven sooner? Or not?</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2466" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bacon.jpg" alt="bacon" width="520" height="191" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bacon.jpg 520w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bacon-300x110.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /></p>
<p>But the truth is, we are closer to the end than we ever have been. There is a rise of natural disasters. The ocean has been polluted. It’s going to get really freaky when they offer to put computer chips in our hands so we can do Apple pay!</p>
<p>But Jesus told us that the end would come like a “thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2) So, don’t waste a bunch of time on it.</p>
<p>What <em>should</em> we do in the mean time? Jesus said “Watch and pray.” (Matthew 26:41) Seems like a ton of prayer is in order. We pray for “God to direct our President” (Proverbs 21:1). We humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin and will heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)</p>
<p>That’s what’s on us.</p>
<p>Peter said:</p>
<p><em>The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:9-12)</em></p>
<p>What should we do? Live holy and godly lives. Why? Does that save us? No! It’s the way we were designed to live. It’s who God is; it’s who we should be. Plus, when others see your godliness (your light) they will be attracted to our father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)</p>
<p>To my point, when it is the end of the world, as we know it – <strong>I will feel fine</strong>. I will feel <strong>finer</strong>. We will, at that point, all be led by the only perfect leader (whether we are with Him or not).</p>
<p>I actually feel<em> fine</em> here, too. The same God is in control in both places. You can stay here, or move to Canada with Cher, Barbara, Whoopi, and Miley if you want. But God will be in control there, too.</p>
<p><em>2 Chronicles 20:6: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”</em></p>
<p>Tim</p>
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</div>3http://timharlow.com/cubs-win-world-series-donald-trump-is-president-its-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24532016-10-19T21:23:34Z2016-10-19T21:13:29Z<p>We are saved by grace, and not works (Ephesians 2:8), and the law was crucified on the cross with Jesus (Galatians 2:19-20).</p>
<p>Does that mean that the rules in the Bible are irrelevant?</p>
<p>I think the answer lies in your interpretation of why God put them there in the first place. Obviously, there were some things given to the people of God that don’t relate to us anymore at all.</p>
<p>Deuteronomy 23:13 tells them that they should always “relieve themselves” outside of the camp and take a shovel so they can bury it. (I like the King James – “<em>and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee.</em>”)</p>
<p>My suggestion is that you just use a normal bathroom.</p>
<p>There were laws that were specific to that time and place, and they were intended for a specific reason.</p>
<p>Many people quote Leviticus 19:27 and tell us that tattoos are wrong. The verse is actually specifically about marking yourself “for the dead.” But even if it was relevant to today, it’s right after the scripture that forbids trimming your hair or beard.</p>
<p>Only the Duck Dynasty guys still observe that one!</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2454" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/tim-kay-phil.jpg" alt="tim - kay - phil" width="560" height="370" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/tim-kay-phil.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/tim-kay-phil-300x198.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>I have to admit, I’m not a fan of rules. But it’s certainly a lot better when I understand them. Speed limits don’t always make sense to me, but when I see a curve sign with a speed limit on it, I take heed.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2455" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CURVE-SIGN-35.jpg" alt="CURVE SIGN 35" width="560" height="319" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CURVE-SIGN-35.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CURVE-SIGN-35-300x171.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>It’s not that I might not be able to take that curve a little faster than the sign, but the principle is that I need to slow down because the road is changing.</p>
<p>Getting to the principle is important.</p>
<p>We now know that the covering “that which comes from thee” rule in Deuteronomy was a health issue that only God really understood back then because germs hadn’t been discovered yet.</p>
<p>Which brings me to the brown M&amp;Ms.</p>
<p>Rock stars are famous for bad behavior. And I believe that Van Halen was at the top of the list. One of the riders in their contract was that there be no brown M&amp;Ms in the green room while they were there. It seems ridiculous, and I’m sure this story doesn’t do justice to the silly demands the group made.</p>
<p>But to hear David Lee Roth explain it, the reason they asked for that was so they would know if they walked backstage and found brown M&amp;Ms, they should double and triple check the rigging on stage and all of the other details. Because if the promoter hadn’t read the contract closely enough to take out the brown M&amp;Ms, they probably just hadn’t read it closely enough – period. So maybe a 500-pound light was going to come crashing down on their heads in the middle of the concert.</p>
<p>Here is David’s own explanation:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/36615187" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/36615187">Brown M&amp;Ms</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/vanhalen">Van Halen</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p>When I’m looking at God’s word and trying to follow what He wants from me, I try to remember this story. I might not understand why I should or shouldn’t do the things He tells me in Scripture, but I need to get to the principle underneath. And I should trust that He is my Father in heaven who knows more than I do, and loves me more than anyone else.</p>
<p><em>My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.</em> (Proverbs 3:1-2)</p>
<p>Tim</p>
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</div>0http://timharlow.com/no-brown-mms/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24472016-09-22T21:31:46Z2016-09-22T21:31:46Z<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2437" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-VILLAGE-3.jpg" alt="MALAWI VILLAGE 3" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-VILLAGE-3.jpg 1920w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-VILLAGE-3-300x169.jpg 300w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-VILLAGE-3-768x432.jpg 768w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-VILLAGE-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></p>
<p>In the late 80’s, a songwriter named Scott Wesley Brown wrote this song:</p>
<p><em>Oh Lord I am your willing servant </em><br />
<em>You know that I have been for years </em><br />
<em>I&#8217;m here in this pew every Sunday and Wednesday </em><br />
<em>I&#8217;ve stained it with many a tear </em><br />
<em>I&#8217;ve given You years of my service </em><br />
<em>I&#8217;ve always given my best </em><br />
<em>And I&#8217;ve never asked you for anything much </em><br />
<em>So, Lord I deserve this request </em></p>
<p><em>Chorus: </em><br />
<em>Please don&#8217;t send me to Africa </em><br />
<em>I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve got what it takes </em><br />
<em>I&#8217;m just a man, I&#8217;m not a Tarzan </em><br />
<em>Don&#8217;t like lions, gorillas or snakes </em><br />
<em>I&#8217;ll serve you here in suburbia </em><br />
<em>In my comfortable middle class life </em><br />
<em>But please don&#8217;t send me out into the bush </em><br />
<em>Where the natives are restless at night</em></p>
<p>I remember thinking it was funny at the time. It was a satire about church members who are willing to follow God, as long as it doesn’t take them out of their comfort zone.</p>
<p>At the time, I really felt called to ministry in the states. We had enough need here, and I felt like my gifting was here. And if I’m honest – I also felt a little like the people in this song – “No thanks!” I don&#8217;t know if Scott Wesley Brown ever became an African missionary, either. That’s not really my point.</p>
<p>My point is that I STILL DON’T WANT TO GO TO AFRICA! But I just made my 8th trip. It was kind of fun the first time, and I got to take my girls there and do ministry together on another one.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2435" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/for-blog-9-16.jpg" alt="for blog 9-16" width="2816" height="1880" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/for-blog-9-16.jpg 2816w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/for-blog-9-16-300x200.jpg 300w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/for-blog-9-16-768x513.jpg 768w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/for-blog-9-16-1024x684.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2816px) 100vw, 2816px" /></p>
<p>And hey &#8211; I don&#8217;t have to live there. So I’m not saying it’s that big of a deal. I’m just being honest.</p>
<p>When I tell people I’ve been to Africa, I get two reactions. Either “Oh that would be so cool,” or “I would never do that.”</p>
<p>The negative reaction usually doesn’t have anything to do with Africa. It’s more about getting there. It was a total of 39 hours from the time we left our hotel until we got home. I’m not afraid of flying – I’m just tired of it!</p>
<p>But everything we do for God isn’t fun.</p>
<p>Everything God DID wasn’t fun either. God didn’t say, “Hey Jesus! Go die on the cross for Tim Harlow – it will be awesome.”</p>
<p>And Jesus asked us to take up the cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24) Don’t miss the sacrifice involved in that statement. Love and sacrifice go together. Loving Jesus and sacrifice go together.</p>
<p>Sometimes we forget that when we think about our faith. We just erected the cross on our new New Lenox campus this week.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2448" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14380160_335694170110972_2981838846110212076_o.jpg" alt="14380160_335694170110972_2981838846110212076_o" width="1272" height="848" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14380160_335694170110972_2981838846110212076_o.jpg 1272w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14380160_335694170110972_2981838846110212076_o-300x200.jpg 300w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14380160_335694170110972_2981838846110212076_o-768x512.jpg 768w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14380160_335694170110972_2981838846110212076_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1272px) 100vw, 1272px" /><br />
It was an important moment for us as a church. But the cross was about sacrifice – it wasn’t just a way to identify if something was a church or not.</p>
<p>Please don’t think in any way, that I’m saying, “look at me.” My cross bearing is very light-weight. At this point in my life, there aren’t many things asked of me in the way of sacrifice. And it’s good because obviously I suck at it.</p>
<p>So I go to Africa. Because what we’re doing in Malawi is important. Through the <a href="http://saddleback.com/connect/ministry/the-peace-plan">Peace Plan</a>, I’m finally feeling like we’re making a dent in the world.</p>
<p>Sometimes, God asks us for obedience to things that we don’t understand or aren’t happy with. That’s how He helps us grow. That’s how He knows He can trust us with larger projects, and that’s how He helps us become more like Him.</p>
<p>I’m not saying you need to go to Africa – maybe ever – but I bet there’s something right now that God has laid on your heart to do and you’re hesitating. I get it. Love your spouse even though he or she doesn’t deserve it. Work in a ministry even though you don’t think you have time. Join or start a small group even though it makes you nervous to think about unpacking your junk in front of other people.</p>
<p>I can tell you from the other side of obedience that it’s always worth it. The trip was worth it. We have started a movement in a country that is going to change thousands of people’s lives for eternity. So I would skip that because I don’t want to get on a plane?</p>
<p><em>And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death&#8211; even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8)</em></p>
<p>Tim</p>
<p>Here is the sermon where I talk about the trip:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/183237096?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/183237096">I Doubt the Existence of God</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/sermonsandworship">Parkview Sermons and Worship</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p>Here is a recap video of the Malawi trip:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/183838577" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/183838577">Parkview in Malawi &#8211; September 2016</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/parkview">Parkview Christian Church</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2444" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14361477_10202079616428202_4350144644651647084_o.jpg" alt="14361477_10202079616428202_4350144644651647084_o" width="2048" height="1365" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14361477_10202079616428202_4350144644651647084_o.jpg 2048w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14361477_10202079616428202_4350144644651647084_o-300x200.jpg 300w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14361477_10202079616428202_4350144644651647084_o-768x512.jpg 768w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14361477_10202079616428202_4350144644651647084_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2443" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o.jpg" alt="14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o" width="1080" height="1080" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o.jpg 1080w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o-150x150.jpg 150w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o-300x300.jpg 300w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o-768x768.jpg 768w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14324305_1193531357334707_6924099747813152495_o-1024x1024.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2442" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14232479_10154555851844602_638190977926541165_n.jpg" alt="14232479_10154555851844602_638190977926541165_n" width="702" height="960" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14232479_10154555851844602_638190977926541165_n.jpg 702w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/14232479_10154555851844602_638190977926541165_n-219x300.jpg 219w" sizes="(max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px" /></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2438" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-TEAM-PIC.jpg" alt="MALAWI TEAM PIC" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-TEAM-PIC.jpg 1920w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-TEAM-PIC-300x169.jpg 300w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-TEAM-PIC-768x432.jpg 768w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/MALAWI-TEAM-PIC-1024x576.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></p>
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</div>0http://timharlow.com/please-dont-send-me-to-africa/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24252016-08-25T21:10:48Z2016-08-25T21:10:48Z<p><em>&#8220;So Moses…brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders…however, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp…yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”</em> Numbers 11:24-30 (NIV)</p>
<p>I love this. It’s so – human nature. We can’t let these people prophesy – they are “out of network!” (Sorry, I’ve been dealing with health insurance lately!)</p>
<p>It’s the same as the New Testament when John told Jesus:</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us</em>.&#8221; Luke 9:49</p>
<p>I love it when Christians censor each other.</p>
<p>It’s not right.</p>
<p>Moses replied, <em>“Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”</em></p>
<p>Jesus said &#8211;<em> “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”</em></p>
<p>I think I’m getting better at this with age. At some point, you have to wake up and realize that God didn’t actually need you to save the world. He also doesn’t need <em>my</em> church. Don’t get me wrong; I believe in the gifts He’s given me, and I love Parkview. But I can’t be jealous if the Spirit gets shared. I should be happy.</p>
<p>But I do love that it says that God actually took “some of the power of the Spirit that was on Moses” and spread it around.</p>
<p>I LOVE that. Maybe in my younger days I wanted to hog the Spirit. I definitely wanted to be important to the Kingdom, I certainly was jealous of the Spirit in others. Now – I want to share.</p>
<p>That makes my perspective so much different when one of our “elders” leaves to go to a new place and share the Spirit. Casey Tygrett has been on our staff for seven years in the role of spiritual formation – with some preaching responsibilities. Now he is headed for a larger Kingdom role at a fantastic church &#8211; Heartland Community Church in Rockford, IL &#8211; to be the lead teaching pastor.</p>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/179611300" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2428" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tim_casey_video_graphic.jpg" alt="tim_casey_video_graphic" width="560" height="313" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tim_casey_video_graphic.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tim_casey_video_graphic-300x168.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></a></p>
<p>I’m not “jealous.” If he moved to Nashville or LA, I’d be jealous&#8230;but not Rockford.</p>
<p>But we are sad. I am sad. Casey has blossomed in his ministry time here, and his family is dear to our family in many ways.</p>
<p>But this is good. It’s great for him – because the Spirit will be able to move through him in new and exciting ways. It’s great for Heartland, which is huge for me. Heartland is the church that sent three Spirit-filled couples to Ventura, California several years ago to plant a church. Parkview partnered with them in that plant. I’m actually still an “Elder&#8221; at that church plant. And then my daughter, Lauren, and her husband, Tommy, decided to take a deeper look into doing ministry and did a residency with Mission Church Ventura. After a year of residency, the church hired them and my granddaughter is now growing up in that church. I’m sure glad that Heartland shared the Spirit!</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2426" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Olivia.jpg" alt="Olivia" width="560" height="420" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Olivia.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Olivia-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>So put this all together. Heartland shared the Spirit with Ventura, who shared it with my kids. How could I not be excited to share the Spirit back with Heartland?</p>
<p>I agree with Moses. “I wish the Lord would put His Spirit on everyone!”</p>
<p>It may come back to bless me personally – it may not.</p>
<p>Who cares? Share it!</p>
<p>Godspeed, Casey! Blessings back to you, Heartland.</p>
<p>I will never limit the Spirit of God.</p>
<p>Tim</p>
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</div>0http://timharlow.com/out-of-network/Jenny Synalhttp://timharlow.com/?p=24162016-08-03T20:20:54Z2016-08-03T20:20:54Z<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2417" alt="alpine-ski-boot" src="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/alpine-ski-boot.jpg" width="560" height="361" srcset="http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/alpine-ski-boot.jpg 560w, http://timharlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/alpine-ski-boot-300x193.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p>Like you, I cringe every time a pastor flames out. For one thing, I know that there, but for the grace of God, go I. I also know my job just got harder. I know that people look at them, and then look at me and wonder what I’m really like. The Apostle James warned us of this reality (James 3:1), but it doesn’t make it any easier when another teacher doesn’t make it.</p>
<p>Somewhere, deep inside, we all love hearing stories about someone else’s failure. We subconsciously feel better about ourselves when we hear about someone else who messed up. It’s a weird and normal part of human nature. What good would the Internet be if we couldn’t find all the dirt? And, just so you know, I think the scrutiny of clergy is justified. For those of us who are supposedly accountable to God &#8211; and get paid from the tithes of saintly social security checks – there should be scrutiny. I accept this.</p>
<p>I try to take heed when I hear a story of failure. I usually stop and do a little introspection.</p>
<p>Lately, some of the bigger stories are not as much about the typical sins of adultery and addiction, as much as they are about what one repentant pastor called “hubris.” Hubris is about losing touch with reality and thinking it’s about you, not God.</p>
<p>Obviously, any time you have a lot of people looking up to you and telling you how great you are, pride is waiting. The reason there is evil in this world is because Satan fell to hubris.</p>
<p>But many times, these leaders fell into sinful hubris while they were trying to do good things.</p>
<p>Jim Collins, author of “How the Mighty Fall,” says the first sign of demise for an organization is “hubris born of success.”</p>
<p><em>Great enterprises can become insulated by success; accumulated momentum can carry an enterprise forward for a while, even if its leaders make poor decisions or lose discipline. Stage 1 kicks in when people become arrogant, regarding success virtually as an entitlement, and they lose sight of the true underlying factors that created success in the first place. When the rhetoric of success (&#8220;We&#8217;re successful because we do these specific things&#8221;) replaces penetrating understanding and insight (&#8220;We&#8217;re successful because we understand why we do these specific things and under what conditions they would no longer work&#8221;), decline will very likely follow. Luck and chance play a role in many successful outcomes, and those who fail to acknowledge the role luck may have played in their success &#8211; and thereby overestimate their own merit and capabilities &#8211; have succumbed to hubris. (A Primer on the Warning Signs, Jim Collins, May 2009. <a title="Jim Collins Quote" href="http://jimcollins.com/books/how-the-mighty-fall.html" target="_blank">http://jimcollins.com/books/how-the-mighty-fall.html</a>)</em></p>
<p>This is the most troubling part to me. It’s not that these organizations (churches, ministers, etc.) are doing something wrong. They are actually doing something right. They just start thinking they have it all figured out and, in many cases, make decisions that put them out over their skis.</p>
<p>When you ski, your boots are locked into skis that are generally about as long as you are, so balance in all directions is important. Obviously, if you’re imbalanced sideways, you will fall. If you are too far back, you may fall &#8211; or worse. You may end up lying down on your skis while they take you downhill way too fast. (Incoming!) However, the phrase “getting out over your skis” means you are too far forward. It’s not something a novice usually does. It only happens when someone is being too aggressive.</p>
<p>In general, it’s not a problem with actually skiing. And it’s not a problem with being on the wrong slope. It’s not even a problem of speed. It’s about balance.</p>
<p>I believe the danger for any of us leading a church is in letting our passion for doing the work of God, coupled with some small victories from God, convince us that we should lean out just a little farther. Then one day we wake up and find ourselves in a crumpled pile at the bottom of the mountain. And, unfortunately, we end up hurting a lot of other skiers on our way down.</p>
<p>It may eventually take the form of an obvious sinful behavior, or it may just turn you into someone who is impossible to work with. But it usually starts with a very small decision to take a very slight forward angle past the place of total dependence on God. Paradoxically, this happens even as you are doing the work of God.</p>
<p>Trust me, I’m no expert. I have an unhealthy human desire to win and be successful. And I have a healthy spiritual desire to help all of God’s children find their way back home. But sometimes, I get out over my skis.</p>
<p>Collins’ words seem appropriate for individuals, as well.</p>
<p><em>I’ve come to see institutional decline like a staged disease: harder to detect but easier to cure in the early stages, easier to detect but harder to cure in the later stages. An institution can look strong on the outside but already be sick on the inside, dangerously on the cusp of a precipitous fall. (How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In, Jim Collins, 2009)</em></p>
<p>The Apostle Paul said it this way,</p>
<p>&#8220;So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don&#8217;t fall!&#8221; I Corinthians 10:12</p>
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